Loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics.



LOOM FOR WEVING 'I'IIIE'TED4 PILE FABRICS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1909.

' Patented Jan.25,1910.

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R. SIMPSON.

LOOM FOR WEAVING TUF'IED PILE FABRICS.

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Mmes s "NVENTDR B.. SIMPSON. LOOM FOB. WBAVING TUFTED PILE FABRICS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1909.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

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LOOM FOB. WEAVING TUPTED PILE FABRICS.

APPLIGATION FILED `JUNE 7, 1909.

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M @ai #V1-Term EVS R. SIMPSON.

LOOM POR WEAVING TUFTBD PILE FABRIGS.

APILICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1909.

Patented Jam. 25,

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YYITHES SE .ATTORNEYS 'EETTEE sTATEs EPATENT oEEroE.

ROBERT SIMPSON, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

LOOM FOR WEAVING TUFTED PILE FABRICS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 25, 1910.

Application filed .Tune 7, 1909. Serial No. 500,742.

Tufted Pile Fabrics, and ofwhich the following is the specification.

This invention relates to looms for weaving tufted pile fabrics and of the type described in the earlier Patent No. 330,069. ln the looms described in that specification the width of fabric which could be produced is limited for various reasons. For example, the yarn carrying spools cannot be of any great length as they would then be very liable to warp and thus throw the ends of the tuft yarn tubes out of alinement with the transferring nippers, which take the yarn tufts from the overhead spools and tuft tubes and cutting mechanism and insert them between the warps, with the re sult that tufts might be missed or misplaced and an imperfect pattern thereby produced; and if long spools were used of a construction heavy enough not to warp they would then not be easily handled by the attendants when threading the yarns through the tuft tubes, or when placing the spools and the tube frames in the carrying chains or removing them therefrom.

riccording to the present invention, when it is desired to increase the width of the fabric being woven, a number of the spools, with their tube frames, which will carry sufficient yarn for the width of fabric desired, are mounted in parallel carrying chains so as to be all in alinement, there being either a separate carrying chain for each end of each spool and tube frame as usual, or the chains may be modified so that one chain carries the opposite ends of two adjacent spools and tube frames. Since the spools and yarn tube frames are substantially as hitherto used ,in this type of loom, it follows that, when they are mounted in the chains in alinement, the row of tufts presented to the nippers is not continuous, but there is a gap between each spool with its tubo frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame in line with it. This gap allows the link of the chain from which the tube frames project to engage sprocket guide wheels on either side of the chain as in the narrow loom described in the earlier` speciication hereinbefore referred to, without its being necessary to prolong the conveying chains unduly in a vertical direction to avoid reflex turns; or to have recourse to guides of special construction for turning lcorners, as has been necessary in former wide looms of this kind.

The improved loom is provided with sets of transferring nippers, there being the saine number of sets as there is of spools in alinenient, and, as because of the gaps between the ends of the spools the yarn tubes are not over the space between the warps into which the yarn tufts are to be inserted, each set of nippers is mounted in a frame carried on guide shafts so that a to-and-fro-movement across the loom may be imparted to the nipfpers, by cams and connections hereinafter described, in addition to the usual raising and lowering, opening and closing and semirotary movements necessary to be imparted to the nippers to enable them to transfer the yarn tufts from the overhead tuft tubes and insert them correctly in the warps. By this towand-fro movement, as the nippers are being raised, turned` up, and opened, to grip the tufts, the movable nipper frames are slid along from the center of the loom outward toward opposite sides of the loom until they come against a stop, the position of which is so regulated that when stopped each pair of nippers is exactly opposite its corresponding spool, and each end of yarn in each tuft tube is exactly opposite its cor responding nipper, there being then a gap between each set of nippers corresponding to the gaps between the overhead rows of spools and tuft tubes. The nippers are then closed to grip the yarn and draw off the required length which is severed by the knives in the usual way. Then, as the nippers are turned down and made to descend to insert the tufts of yarn into the shed, the movable nipper frames are again slid along the guide shafts inward toward the center of the loom until they come against other stops so arranged as to stop the nipper frames in such a positionthat each nipper is then opposite the space between the warps into which it has to be inserted in the usual way, in which position the nippers are close together in line and thus present one continuous and unbroken row of nippers, instead of several independent sets of nippers with gaps between.

The insertion and securing of the tufts between the warps is now performed as usual and the nippers opened to leave the tufts in the fabric. The nippers are then closed and raised out of the shed and the process repeated. Each pair of nippers is kept closed, against the act-ion of springs tending to open them, by conical wedges on a rod or tube movable on end to insert or withdraw the cones, as in the earlier specification hereinbefore referred to, but as in the present construction the tube or rod carrying thewedges has also to move on end with the nipper frames, it is actuated by special mechanism comprising a spring-controlled forked lever keeping the tube or rod carrying the wedges in such position that the nippers are always closed unless the lever is being acted on byone or other of two tappets adjustable on a second rod or tubecapable of sliding and rotating in the nipper frames, one tappet acting on the lever when the nipper frames are apart and beneath the tuft tubes and the other tappet when the nipper frames are close together `ment referred to imparted to it.

In order that the invention and the manner of performing the same may be properly understood there are hereunto appended seven sheets of drawings to be hereinafter referred to, these drawings showing only the parts of the loom necessary for the illustration of the present improvements.

In these drawings Figures 1 and 2, Sheets 1 and 2 are jointly a front elevation of the left hand side of the loom, Figs. 8 and 4, Sheets 3 andll, being jointly a sectional plan of the same side. These figures show only one complete spool with its tube frame and a portion of the neXt in alinement therewith, also one complete nipper frame and a portion of the next, and it is to be understood that there may be any number of these parts in alinement according to the width of fabric the loom is designed to weave. Fig. 5, Sheet 5, is an end `elevation showing the mechanism for giving the to-and-fro movement to the nipper frames. Fig. 6, Sheet 6, is also an end elevation showing the mechanism for giving longitudinal motion to the tappet rod, while Fig. 7, Sheet 7 is a simi- I lar view showing the mechanism for rotating that rod. j

As shown in Figs. l and 2 of these drawings, the spools A and frames A1 carrying the yarn tubes A2 (only a few of which tubes are shown to prevent confusion) are substantially as hitherto used in this type of loom, and the loom may be designed to weave a fabric of a breadth necessitating the use of any number of such spools and frames in alinement. The spools A and tube frames A1 are mounted in endless parallel carrying chains B, B1, which differ from such chains as hitherto constructed only in that the space between the inner sides of the shackle, or double link portion, of the chain B1 between the opposite ends of two adjacent spools A is wide enough to permit of receiving the ends of two adjacent tube frames A1. lf preferred, a separate carrying chain for each end of each spool A and tube frame A1 may be provided. Only the lower part of one pair of these chains B, Bl, and three of the spools A and tube frames A1 with half of the adjacentthree spools and frames which are in alinement therewith are shown, the yarn being omitted to avoid confusion. The endless chains B, Bl are driven by sprocket wheels B2 mounted on a shaft B, other idle sprocket guide wheels (not shown) being located in any suitable position above the loom frame, all as in the earlier narrow loom hereinbefore referred to. llVhen the spools A and yarn tube frames A1 are mounted in the chains in alinement as shown, the tubes A2 through which the ends of yarn project are not continuous, so that there is a gap C in the row of tufts between each spool with its tube frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame in line therewith. This gap C allows the link of the chain from which the tube frames project to go over the sprocket wheels as in the narrow loom referred to. In this way as the tube frames and tubes are kept clear of sprocket wheels, on both sides of the chain instead of as hitherto in wide looms upon one side only, the desired sets of conveying chains, each carrying a large number of spools may be used without its being necessary to prolong the conveying chains unduly in a vertical direction to avoid reiex turns; or to have recourse to guides of special con struction for turningcorners.

By the movement of the chains the spools A are presented successively in the proper positions for the yarn to be drawn from them and cut off in pieces of proper length to form the tufts, as in the narrow loom referred to. These tufts are inserted into the warps by sets of transferring nippers, there being the same number of sets as there is of spools A in alinement. These nippers are substantially similar to those used in the narrow loom referred to, the jaws Cl, to

which are attached the plates of which the nipper fingers C2 are constructed, being journaled on a sleeve C5 on a crank rod CE the ends of which are carried by cranks C4 journaled in the outer ends of two arms D, only Cri one of which is shown, the other being at the opposite side of the loom. The 'opposite ends of these arms are secured on a rock shaft D1 which works in bearings D2 secured to the frames D3 ofthe loom, so that the upward and downward movement of the nippers, that is, the movement between the tuft tubes A2 and the warps (not shown) may be imparted by cam and lever connections (not shown) with one of the arms D as described in the earlier specification hereinbefore referred to, or it may be with both the arms D. The mechanism for giving the turning over or semi-rotary motion to the nippers is also similar to that described in the said earlier specication and therefore not shown in the present drawings.

As owing to the gaps C between the ends of the spools A, the yarn tubes A2 are not over the spaces between the wai'ps into which the yarn tufts are to be inserted, an additional movement to-and-fro across the loom has to be imparted to each set of nippers to enable them to transfer the yarn tufts from the overhead tuft tubes and insert them correctly in the warps. rl`his is effected by causing the crank rod G2 to pasa through additional cranks E, these additional cranks being journaled in tubes E1 passing through bearings in the outer ends of additional arms E2 similar to the arms D,

there being a pair of such additional arms for each set of nippers. rlhrough the center of the tubes E2 there extends a rod E2, the opposite ends of which are carried in bearings in the outer arms D, so that the tubes t1 are capable of sliding on the rod E2 for a purpose hereinafter described. Dr the rod E2 may be dispensed with, in which case the tubes El may be replaced by rods. The inner ends of each pair of additional arms E2 are carried on opposite ends of a sleeve G on the rocking shaft D1, so that each set of nippers are thus carried in a frame comprising the pair of arms E2 and the sleeve G. The upward and downward movement imparted to the nippers as hereinbefore described is also imparted to this frame by a guide shaft G1 passing through bearings in the arms E2 and being secured at opposite ends to the outer arms D. To impart the desired to-and-fro movement to this frame and consequently to each of the set of nippers, face cams G2 are provided on the main shaft G3, one for each nipper frame. These cams act upon a lever H which works on a fixed fulcruni H1 and which is connected by a rod H2 with one end of a bell crank lever H2, the opposite end of which is slotted to receive a pin J on the sleeve G. There is a separate cam G2 for actuating each nipper frame, the one for actuating the frames at the outer sides of the loom being designed and proportioned as shown in Fig. 5, as these two frames have to travel the farthest to bring their respective nippers correctly under the yarn tubes of their overhead spools. The intermediate cams are, of course, proportioned to suit the travel of the respective intermediate frames.

Each pair of nippers C2 are kept closed, against the action of the usual springs Jl tending to open them, by conical wedges J2 as in the earlier specilication hereinbefore referred to. These wedges are, in the present construction, carried on the tubes El, and as these tubes must travel to-and-fro with the nipper frame G, E2 they are actuated each by a forked lever J2, fulcrumed on l a bracket J 2 formed on one of the. arms E2, l the opposite end of this lever being connected by a spring K to the opposite arm of each nipper frame, so that the tubes E1 and consequent-ly the wedges J 2 are kept in such position that the nippers are always closed unless the lever J2 is being acted on by one j or other of two prongs K5 and K on tappets K2 adjustable on a rod K2 capable of sliding and rotating in the nipper frames and side arms D as hereinafter described, one prong K2, when the iiipper frames are apart and beneath the tuft tubes A2, being then insucli position that it engages the side of the lever J, so that when the rod K2 is moved endwise the levers J2 are so moved as to withdraw the wedges, and the other prong K6 acting similarly on the levers when the nipper frames are closed together and have inserted the tufts between the webs.

The movement of the rod K2 endwise and its rotation as desired, is produced by a cam L (Fig. G) on the main shaft G3 acting on a lever L2 centered on the framing D3, this lever in turn being connected by an adjustable rod L2 with one end of a bell crank lever L2 centered on one of the arms D, the opposite end of this lever being connected to one end of the rod K2 carrying the tap-- pets K1, so that the rod is moved on end as desired. To give this rod the necessary rotation so that the proper projection acts on the forked lever J2 at the proper time, a further cam M, shown in Fig. 7, is secured on the main shaft G2, and it acts through another lever M1 centered on any convenient part of the framing D2, and carrying at its upper end a rack bar M2 gearingl with a pinion M3 on the sliding rod K2, the pinion being connected with the rod by a feather and groove, and working in a slot in a plate ML secured on the guide rod G2, so that the pinion is prevented from moving endwise when the rod K2 does.

In the position shown in the drawings, the nippers G2 have been operated upon so that they are in their horizontal position and they are assumed to be moving upward. While rising, the nipper frames are slid j outward to opposite sides of the loom from the ymiddle thereof by the mechanism hereinbefore described until they come each against a stop N on the rocking shaft D1,

the position of which stops is so regulated 'zj per C2, there being then a gap between each set of nippers corresponding to the gaps C between the overhead rows of spools and tuft tubes. During this upward movement, each set of nippers is turned up in the usual way. The rod K2 with tappets K1 is rotated by the mechanism described into such a position that one of the tappet prongs on it engages with the forked lever J 3 in each nipper frame. Then a longitudinal motion is given to the rod so as to move the forked levers to withdraw the wedges J 2 from contact with the jaws C1 of the nippers, and thus allow the nippers to open by the action of their springs J1.

When the open nippers have been brought to their proper position, as hereinbefore described, the rod K2 is then moved back again, withdrawing the tappet prongs K5 from contact with the forked levers J 3, so

' that the springs K acting on the levers cause these levers to move the tubes E1 carrying the cones J2 on end, so that these cones are forced between the jaws C1 of the nippers and the nippers are closed and grip the yarn, each individual nipper gripping its own yarn end as usual. The nippers now draw off the required length of yarn which is severed by means of knives, all as described in the earlier specification referred to. Then as the nippers are turned down and made to descend to insert the tufts of yarn they hold into the shed, the movable nipper frames are -again slid along the guide shafts D1, G1 by the action of the cams G2 and mechanism hereinbefore described, inward toward the center of the loom until they come against the adjustable stops N on the rocking shaft D1 which stops are so arranged that each nipper is then opposite the space between the warps into which it has to be inserted in the usual way, in which position the nippers are close together in line and thus present one continuous and unbroken row of nippers instead of several independent sets of nippers with gaps between. rIhe insertion and securing of the tufts between the warps is now performed as usual, and the opening of the nippers to leave the tuft in the fabric is accomplished by rotating the rod K2 into the proper position, so that the other set K of tappet prongs encounter the forked levers J 3, and then on the rod being given a longitudinal motion, these prongs move the forked levers so that these levers force the tubes E1 carrying the wedges J2 endwise, so as to withdraw the wedges from the jaws C1 of the nippers and allow the nippers to be opened by the action of their springs J1 when the tufts have been inserted into the fabric. The nippers C2 are then closed by reverse action on the rod K2 carrying the tappets K1 so as to again force the wedges J2 between the jaws C1 of the nippers C2, which are then raised out of the shed and the process repeated.

What I claim is l. In a loom of the type referred to for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of tuft yarn spool and tuft tube frame carrying chains, a plurality of rows of tuft yarn spools and tuft tube frames so carried by such chains that not only are the spools and tube frames in each row in alinement with each other but there is also a gap between each spool with its tube frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame, a plurality of sets of tuft transferring nippers corresponding to the number of spools and tuft tube frames in alinement, and means for giving a to-and-fro motion across the loom to the sets of nippers.

2. In a loom of the type referred to for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of tuft yarn spool and tuft tube frame carrying chains, a plurality of rows of tuft yarn spools and tuft tube frames so carried by such chains that not only are the spools and tube frames in each row in alinement with each other but there is also a gap between each spool with its tube frame and the' adjacent spool with its tube frame, a plurality of sets of tuft transferring nippers corresponding to the number of spools and tuft tube frames in alinement, means for giving a to-and-fro motion across the loom to the sets of nippers, and means for opening and closing the nippers.

3. In a loom of the type referred to for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of tuft yarn spool and tuft tube frame carrying chains, a plurality of rows of tuft yarn spools and tuft tube frames so carried by such chains that not only are the spools and tube frames in each row in alinement with each other but there is also a gap between each spool with its tube frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame, a plurality of sets of tuft transferring nippers corresponding to the number of spools and tuft tube frames in alinement, the nippers being journaled in a frame comprising side arms and a sleeve on a rock shaft, a bell-crank lever connected to the nipper frame, a cam, and a lever and rod operated by the cam and connected to the bell-crank lever so as to impart a to-and-fro motion to the frame and consequently to the nippers.

4. In a loom of the type referred to for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of Mmes tuft yarn spool and tuft tube frame carrying chains, a plurality of rows of tuft yarn spools and tuft tube frames so carried by such chains that not only are the spools and tube frames in each row in alinement with each other but there is also a gap between each spool with its tube frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame, a plurality of sets of tuft transferring nippers corresponding to the number of spools and tuft tube frames in alinement, the nippers being journaled in a frame comprising side arms and a sleeve on a rock shaft, a bell-crank lever connected to the nipper frame, a cam, and a lever and rod operated by the cam and connected to the bell-crank lever so as to impart a to-and-fro motion to the frame and consequently to the nippers and means for opening and closing the nippers.

5. In a loom of the type referred to for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of tuft yarn spool and tuft tube frame carrying chains, a plurality of rows of tuft yarn spools and tuft tube frames so carried by such chains that not only are the spools and tube frames in each row in alinement with each other but there is also a gap between each spool with its tube frame and the adjacent spool with its tube frame, a plurality of sets of tuft transferring nippers corresponding' to the number of spools and tuft tube frames in alinement, the nippers being journaled in a frame comprising side arms and a sleeve on a rock shaft, a bel1-crank .1 lever connected to the nipper frame, a cam,

and a lever and rod operated by the cam andconnected to the bell-crank lever so as to impart a tovand-fro motion to the frame and consequently to the nippers, springs tending to open the nippers, and means for keeping them closed against the action of these springs comprising wedges ona spindle traveling with the nipper frame7 a spring-controlled forked lever actuating the wedge spindle, a rod carrying two tappets and means for moving this tappet rod on end and rotating it so that the tappets act in turn on the forked lever when necessary to cause the forked lever to withdraw the wedges from between the jaws of the nippers.

(5. In looms of the type referred to and having a plurality of tuft transferring nippers, springs tending to open the nippers, and means for keeping them closed against the action of these springs comprising wedges on a spindle traveling with the nipper frame, a spring-controlled forked lever capable of moving the wedge spindle endwise, a rod carrying two tappets acting on the forked lever, a bell-crank lever connected to the tappet rod, a cam, and a lever and rod operated by the cam and connected to the bell-crank lever so `that an endwise movement may be imparted to the tappet rod with means for rotating this rod.

7. In looms of the type referred to and having a plurality of tuft transferring nip pers, springs tending to open the nippers,

' and means for keeping them closed against the action of these springs comprising wedges on a spindle traveling with the nipper frame, a spring-controlled forked lever capable of moving the wedge spindle endwise, an endwise movable rod carrying two tappets acting' alternately on the forked lever, means for rotating this rod so that the tappets will act in turn and comprising a cam, a lever actuated thereby, a rack bar on the lever, a pinion gearing with the bar and rotating the endwise movable tappet rod through a feather and groove.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT SIMPSON.

Witnesses DAVID FERGUSON, WILFRED HUNT. 

